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www.mukhanyo.ac.za/news/july-24th-20175713191
This newsletter tells about some of the highlights of Mukhanyo’s annual Bible college consultation, which this year took place on 20 – 22 June. It was attended by some 85 dedicated church and missionary leaders from eight countries in Southern Africa, representing more than 35 Bible colleges and training ministries. The one point of agreement everybody in one or other way stressed, was the absolute need for far more Bible training. And more Bible study! The following remarks underlined this:
Read more: Lessons from mistakes of the past Christian ethics requires Bible study Schools of prophets
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 #1: Schools of prophets In the time of the Old Testament there were schools of prophets. The Reformation was given a strong injection by John Calvin’s theological school or university in Geneva from which many hundreds of trained preachers spread the gospel all over Europe and beyond. The famous Harvard College (1655), Yale College (1701) and the “Log College” (1726) were called “schools of the prophets.” They were witnesses of the gospel of Christ, speaking the Word of the Lord, and were empowered by the Holy Spirit. Many colleges in Africa are doing so today. But there is an urgent need for many more biblically-based colleges. (Rev Dr Brian DeVries, principal, Mukhanyo Theological College.) Read more Dealing with witchcraft Lessons from mistakes of the past Christian ethics requires Bible study  #2: Bible colleges a tool for biblical ethics
Christian colleges must overcome the secularisation of science. Integration of faith and learning in all sciences has not come far enough. All curricula must be based on faith and learning, with ethical responsibility. There needs to be pastor teachers to have pastor students. (Rev Dr In Whan Kim, president of the Swaziland Christian University.) Read more Dealing with witchcraft Lessons from mistakes of the past Christian ethics requires Bible study  #3: Lessons from mistakes of the past
There is an enormous need for more and better equipped preachers and teachers of the Word of God. Beware of academics for the sake of academics. Don’t lose touch as a student with the life of the local church. Resist the pressure to accept untested new views. Don’t outpace your support base. The numerous Bible colleges should co-operate. And don’t let colleges become liberal arts colleges for the sake of student numbers and income. (Dr Conrad Mbewe, chancellor of the African Christian University in Zambia.) Read more Schools of prophets Dealing with witchcraft Christian ethics requires Bible study  #4: Dealing with witchcraft
Since 1994 witchcraft, imbedded in the worldview of the African people, has grown rapidly among Christian youth and young families. Witchcraft and ancestor worship should never be viewed as irrational or animistic, but rather as a serious philosophical approach in dealing with the question of evil in life. It is a way a making sense in the midst of chaos. Christian churches in Africa have failed to engage with this worldview. Why? Because of Eurocentrism. Christian theologians believed in European superiority as a result of divine favour, resulting in a negative view of Africa which was/is seen as intrinsically chaotic and unredeemable. African theologians must help their students to engage communities and teach the Bible, e.g. Lev. 19:31, Deut. 18:14, James 4:7 and Col. 2:15. Theological seminaries should look at their curricula and make sure that they prepare their students to be relevant in dealing with pressing issues like witchcraft beliefs and ancestor worship. True preaching of the gospel engages contextual issues. (Rev Dr Tshililo Liphadzi, principal of Heidelberg Theological Seminary, Pretoria.) Read more Christian ethics requires Bible study Schools of prophets Bible colleges a tool for biblical ethics  #5: Teaching requires integrity and propriety
Also teachers are evaluated by their fruits. Among the characteristics required to be a Christian teacher is to be appropriate in love, with knowledge, based on Christian principles, available for their students without being light-hearted, but humble. (Rev Peter Manzanga, senior lecturer, Mukhanyo Theological College.) Read more Teaching within divergent church contexts How pastors can deal with conflicts Mentoring to confront social problems  #6: Mentoring to confront social problems
God’s chosen people should clothe themselves with compassion, kindness, humility, meekness and patience. Transformational theological education in Africa implies that God in his grace transforms hearts, minds, attitudes, life conditions, lifestyles, the economy and stewardship. God is ushering in his kingdom by forgiving, reconciling, regenerating, empowering, gifting, equipping and sending. Also by creating, providing and sustaining, demanding justice, truth and mercy. And making the church a channel of his compassion. This is our biblical and theological mandate for engaging social evils. Africa desperately needs Christ-centred leaders preaching the kingdom with compassion. (Dr Flip Buys, research professor of missiology and practical theology, North-West University, South Africa. Also International Director of the World Reformed Fellowship.) Read more Dealing with witchcraft Teaching within divergent church contexts How pastors can deal with conflicts  #7: How pastors can deal with conflicts
Tribal, ethnic and racial conflicts are essentially worldview issues. But we must realise that fatalistic beliefs such as found in Africa, racial superiority and relativism as found in Europe are all rooted in lies. Behind all these lies stands Satan, and they result in terrible and damaging consequences (see James 4:1-12). How can a worldview be changed? Renew the mind, a metamorphosis (Romans 12:1-2) through the Word and the Spirit of God. This requires a daily intake and regular devotion to start to see things differently. We have to reaffirm the truths about nations in Scripture (Acts 17:26-31), all members of the human race, brothers and sisters in the image of God. And we all need God’s grace. (Rev Isaac Maleke, student dean, Mukhanyo Theological College, KwaMhlanga, SA.) Read more Christian ethics requires Bible study Schools of prophets Bible colleges a tool for biblical ethics  #8 Teaching within divergent church contexts
Students must discover biblical behaviours and practices. They must discuss and debate cultural practices as well as social and personal behaviour. Focus areas must be the new life in Christ, a visible testimony of transformation. A Christian ethos, pathos and logic must be developed.
This must all be done with patience, understanding, communication and respect for non-homogeneous situations. (Dr David Beakley, senior pastor of Christ’s Church in Polokwane, SA.) Read more Christian ethics requires Bible study Schools of prophets Bible colleges a tool for biblical ethics  #9- Teaching for public interaction
All people are in pursuit of happiness and utopia, the promised land. One regularly hears appeals for equitable distribution of wealth, protection of the vulnerable, for ubuntu, for the good old days. But happiness eludes humanity, regardless of all the advances of science. The church and her preachers must have a loud enough voice to be heard over all the noise of the world. In this, Bible colleges have to serve as the arm of churches to provide capable preachers. Lecturers have to be good role models to build and restore confidence in the Bible. But why is the world as it is today? It is the result of the fall into sin, mankind’s chronic selfishness as sinners. In addition, the world is under the wrath of God (Romans 1:18-32). The Bible is the only adequate answer: through new hearts in Christ. When our vertical relationship is restored with joy, we can work on our horizontal relationships too. But we must use the Bible in a way that shows its relevance to all matters. All courses must be biblically based to produce a holistic worldview in students. Search the Bible for precepts, principles or precedents in answering the questions of students. Lay current issues before students for discussion and see that they tackle the issues from a biblical perspective. Their confidence in the Bible should not be skin-deep but life transforming and very satisfying. Their excitement will be contagious. (Dr Conrad Mbewe, chancellor of the African Christian University, Zambia.) Read more Christian ethics requires Bible study Schools of prophets Bible colleges a tool for biblical ethics |
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